Maidenhead pulled together a U11 girls team to play at Sandhurst Summer Tournament. The team was a mixture of girls from the U10 team playing up and some of the U11 girls who normally play up in the U12 team.

The team took a while to get warmed up and lost the first two games 1-0 to Rushmoor and 3-0 to Tilehurst Panthers. There was some great play though with saves from Charlotte and some great runs from Georgina.

Maidenhead managed to get in to the swing and got a draw against Thatcham Town Blues and a win against Tilehurst Panther Belles with the goal from Charlotte. This gave us a respectable 4 points; not enough to make it into the finals, but the girls had the opportunity for a game in the playoffs against Wokingham and Emmbrook.

The final match was a tense game, with great play from all the girls forcing a 1-1 draw and leading to sudden death penalties. A good save from the Wokingham and Emmbrook goalie on the first penalty meant the Maidenhead goalie had a difficult job. She stood her ground brilliantly, but a great shot put us out.

A brilliant day and given the girls weren’t used to playing together and had no subs they did brilliantly.

Maidenhead Girls came 2nd at the 13th May Sandhurst 7-a-side tournament, losing 1-0 to eventual winners Wargrave in the final match of the day. 8 teams took part.

Maidenhead Girls won matches against Ascot (2-0), Petersfield (2-0), Shinfield (2-0) and Wokingham and Emmbrook (3-0) – in these four matches the goalie did brilliantly to keep a clean sheet. Maidenhead Girls also lost to Wargrave in the pool stages so they were deserved winners of the tournament.

Team on the day: Emily McCartney (capt), Lily Gibson (1 goal), Rebecca Hesketh, Laila Knowles, Sofia Lacey (1 goal) , Matilda Walker and Emily McMaster (7 goals including one hat-trick).

The girls improved through the day through the six matches. The benefits of Friday night training showed through too. They practiced corners on Friday night this week and one of the best goals of the day today way a great header by Emily McMaster from a corner taken by Sofia Lacey.

OK, not actually playing in the cup final (yet), but the club had a great trip up to Wembley to see Chelsea play Arsenal in the Women’s FA cup.

A lot of support for Chelsea given the matching kit was rewarded by a great game, some brilliant play and a win for the Blues.

Thanks to Sarah for organising and the Mums / Dads for bringing the supporters along.

Maidenhead U12 Girls finished the season with a big win over a strong Wargrave team. It was great to see injured players returning to play (Laila Knowles and Emily McCartney) and support (Grace Gibson) what is turning out to be a very talented team. Playing in the sunshine again, at last, was great for kids and parents alike.

The first Maidenhead score (an own goal by Wargrave) was caused by attacking pressure and speed from Lily Gibson and the first half finished a tight 3-2 up to Maidenhead. Great performances from all of the girls in the second half with an attitude of never stopping and high energy meant Maidenhead scored 4 goals in the last 15 minutes. Sofia Lacey scored a penalty with the last kick of the match to take her tally to 2 goals and Emily McMaster found the net 5 times in the match. Two of these were identical and set up by great passes from the wing from Rebecca Hesketh.

Some of the girls are celebrating the end of the season with a trip to the waterpark at Liquid Leisure organised by social organiser Jennie Knowles.

Big thanks to Andy McCartney our coach for the first time this season, His coaching and the girls attitude, effort and fun focus means it’s been an enjoyable season for everyone involved. We now take a break from matches for a month until summer 5/6 a side tournaments